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Vegas Golden Knights Vs. Winnipeg Storylines: Eakin Reunion

By Andrew Steele-Davis

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Cody Eakin #20 of the Winnipeg Jets takes a shot on goal during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on February 23, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Cody Eakin #20 of the Winnipeg Jets takes a shot on goal during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on February 23, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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The Vegas Golden Knights face a reunion with a familiar face tonight as they take on the Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place.

In what is the first of a five-game road trip, the Vegas Golden Knights will go up against Cody Eakin and the Jets in a huge game.

Eakin was traded to the Jets on Feb. 21, with the Golden Knights getting back a 2021 Conditional Fourth-Round pick in return.

In five games, Eakin has one point (one assist) with a +1 rating for the Winnipeg Jets, logging an average of 14:21 of ice time per game.

This is a big game for both teams in terms of the postseason picture, and we picked out some storylines for you all to delve into…

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 25: Cody Eakin #20 of the Winnipeg Jets in action against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on February 25, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 25: Cody Eakin #20 of the Winnipeg Jets in action against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on February 25, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Storyline 1 – Eakin Reunion

It is a quick reunion for the Vegas Golden Knights and Cody Eakin tonight, just weeks after the forward was dealt to the Winnipeg Jets.

Eakin was born in Winnipeg so it is pretty cool that he now has the chance to play for his hometown team.

And, in five games for the Jets, the veteran center has one assist with a +1 rating in 14:21 of ice time.

Of course, having spent the majority of this year with the Golden Knights, Eakin will be well-versed when it comes to the systems Vegas rolls out.

As such, Eakin will be able to give his new teammates an edge when it comes to preparing them for tonight’s game, something the Golden Knights will have to be aware of.

Storyline 2 – Life is tough on the road

Tonight’s game in Winnipeg is the first of a five-game road trip for the Vegas Golden Knights, including a three-game swing in Canada.

The Knights face a tough test against a desperate Jets team before taking on the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers in what will be a huge back-to-back on Sunday and Monday respectively.

The Golden Knights will then finish off the road trip with matchups against the Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche next week, and this road trip could be defining for Vegas in the race for the playoffs.

BUFFALO, NY – FEBRUARY 23: Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets looks for the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on February 23, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – FEBRUARY 23: Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets looks for the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on February 23, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Storyline 3 – Goalies Set

Marc-Andre Fleury, who has looked more like his old self in recent weeks, will get the start for the Golden Knights tonight.

Fleury is 26-15-5 this year with a 2.76 Goals Against Average and a .906 Save Percentage, while the presence of Robin Lehner ensures that the Golden Knights now boast one of the best goalie tandems in the NHL.

Meanwhile, Connor Hellebuyck will start for Winnipeg and the 26-year-old has helped to keep the Jets’ playoff hopes alive this year, going 28-21-5 with a 2.64 Goals Against Average and a .920 Save Percentage.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 03: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a third-period goal, his 100th career NHL goal, against the New Jersey Devils during their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 3, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 03: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a third-period goal, his 100th career NHL goal, against the New Jersey Devils during their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 3, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Storyline 4 – Playoff Picture

We are heading down the stretch now and things are really starting to get interesting as we look ahead to the postseason.

For the Vegas Golden Knights, they remain at the top of the Pacific Division but they still have a lot of work to do.

Heading into tonight’s game the Golden Knights are just two points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers and five ahead of the Calgary Flames, while both the Vancouver Canucks and the Arizona Coyotes are well-placed to make late runs too.

As for the Winnipeg Jets, they are on the outside looking in at a wild-card spot, although they are only one point out, so a win tonight would be huge for the Jets.

BUFFALO, NY – FEBRUARY 23: Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets before a face-off during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on February 23, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – FEBRUARY 23: Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets before a face-off during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on February 23, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Storyline 5 – Streaks

The Winnipeg Jets have exceeded all expectations all year and they will provide the Vegas Golden Knights with a real litmus test tonight.

They are also pretty good on home ice with an 18-14-3 record at Bell MTS Place this year, while the Jets have won four consecutive home games and are also 7-2-1 in their last 10 games on home ice.

Also, Winnipeg forward Kyle Connor has achieved a new career-high with goals in four consecutive games, and he is second on the Jets in points with 70 (35 goals, 35 assists).

The Golden Knights will also have to watch out for Blake Wheeler, who has 21 goals and 40 assists for 61 points in 68 games, while he has tallied seven assists in his past eight games to reach the 40-assist plateau for the seventh time in his career.

Next. Golden Knights Vs. Jets Primer. dark

Wheeler also needs six more assists to record 500 for his career.

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